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William F. "Billy" Byrnes, of Hopewell Junction, an ex-chief of the Verplanck Fire Department and a life member of the Verplanck Fire Protection Association, died Thursday, July 6. He was 74.

Byrnes was born to James and Olive Byrnes on May 5, 1943, in Yonkers. He married his wife Roberta (Brown) Byrnes on Oct. 25, 1967, and was employed by Con Edison for 35 years.

Known by all as "Billy," he was a member of the Verplanck Fire Department for more than 50 years serving as chief three times.

Byrnes moved to Hopewell Junction after his retirement from Con Ed and joined the Hopewell Hose Fire Company. He coached and volunteered with the Town of Cortlandt Youth Football League for over 20 years.

He is survived by his wife Roberta; children David Byrnes (Jacqueline), Kimberly Rowe, John Brazzell, Tarra Traditi (Donald), William Byrnes (Patricia), Mike Byrnes, and Theresa Byrnes; his 16 grandchildren, Dave, Doug, Erica, Johnny, Brittany, Ryan, Victoria, Maureen, TJ, Billy, Mikie, Maria, Sean, Shane, Kiley and Connor and two great-grandchildren Ivy and Mia. Billy is also survived by his brother James Byrnes and predeceased by his brother Kenneth Byrnes.

Visitation will be held on Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Edward F. Carter Funeral Home, 170 Kings Ferry Rd., Montrose. A Verplanck Fire Department service will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 11 at St. Patrick's Church, Verplanck. Burial will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery also in Verplanck.